The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages

Illustration © 2004 Greg McBrady

I've been reading quite a lot of historical fiction about World War II this year. Both of my school readings are on WWII experiences in Germany and Poland, from two different perspectives, one of a German boy and the other a Jewish boy. Last year, I read a book on WWII in Hong Kong and the Japanese ocupation. However, this book offeres yet another new perspective and angle of what was happening during WWII, this time in USA. It especially describes "The Manhattan Project", the secret project that produced the first atomic bomb to be used on two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But, apart from offering a historical insight into this little known side of WWII, the book is also about science and being different.

Girl Mechanic

"The Boy Mechanic," she said, snickering. "Why do you have that?" "They didn't make one for girls," Dewey replied.

Dewey is a smart inventor and scientist in a time when girls were not expected to be scientists and even less interested in mechanics. That is why Dewey doesn't have many friends and is often bullied by the other kids.

Papa had told her that no good ever came from fighting, that it was better to walk away in dignity than to stoop to that level. Dewey suspected it had been a long time since Papa had been picked on.

It takes a lot of courage for Dewey to allow someone to get close. Although Dewey and Suze don't really get along at the beginning, as they spend more time together they start developing a real friendship and shared interests.

The Gadget

In the secret army base the best scientists are working on the creation of the gadget that should end the war. As the project is coming to its end and the gatget is ready for use Suze's mom starts doubting the outcome.

"Christ," she said. "What have we done?"

As the project is coming to its end and the gatget is ready for use Suze's mom starts doubting the outcome. She becomes more aware of its destructive power. As everyone is happy that the gadget is finally working, we get little hints about the devastation the atomic bomb caused in Japan. The book ends with the radio announcement of the bomb droped on Horishima and Nagasaki.

1. A photo of Los Alamos (looking north). In the distance, Fuller Lodge and the "Big House" are visible to the left and right, respectively

2. A real Trinitite sample

3. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

This is such an amazing book about history, but also about everyday issues that haven't changed much over the years. The book is writen so realistically that the reader feels completely transported into a different century. The ending is very unexpected and leaves you wanting for more.